Road sign



Aug. 17, 1937. B. H. SMITH ROAD SIGN Filed Oct. 9, 1955 frye/7 5/77/7/7 @Mg W ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 17, 1937 NETE@ STrtTS PATENT GFI-HCE 2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to portable and collapsible signs, which are suitable for use on highways to warn motorists.

It is an object of the invention to provide a 5 sign of the above character which can be quickly positioned on a highway, and which can not be readily dislodged or blown down by wind.

Another object of the invention is to provide a road sign which can be collapsed into a relatively compact structure, thus affording a device which ,can Vbe conveniently carried by motor trucks.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Fig. l is a rear elevational view, showing a device incorporating the present invention, when fully collapsed.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the device, as positioned upon the surface of a highway.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line :3 4 of Fig. 1.

The device as illustrated in the drawing consists of a panel iB, which is preferably formed of three sections Ella., lb and lilo. Hinges il 30 serve to connect adjacent edges of these sections together, so that the side sections ilia and lc, may be folded behind the center section lb. The front face of panel iii carries appropriate lettering, and one of the panel sec- 35 tions, as for example, section me, is shownprovided with a reflection light signal i2.

In order to form a stablesupport for the panel Il), means are provided as follows: A pair of spaced rods i3, have a pivotal connection i4 40 with the upper edge of the center panel section ib. The other ends of these rods have a pivotal connection l5, with a relatively rigid metal plate l. The free end of plate l5 is provided with a bent flange Il, which is adapted to 45 interlock with the lower edge of the panel section lb. For example, the lower edge portion i8 of the center panel section lb can be eX- tended beyond the adjacent ends of the side panel sections, and doubled back upon itself to 50 form a groove or channel i9, for receiving the flange il. The outer and lower corners of the side panel sections, also are shown provided with projecting legs 2l.

When the sign is positioned upon a highway,

55 as illustrated in Fig. 2, plate i6 serves as a suitable platform for receiving a rock 22 or like weight. When properly weighted down in this manner, the sign is capable of withstanding a relatively high wind velocity, without being upset. It will be noted that the weight not only holds the sign down upon the highway surface, but it also serves to more securely interlock the flange I1 on plate i6, with the groove or channel i9 of the panel section lb. To collapse the sign, it is'convenient to iirst place the panel l@ upside down upon the ground, that is with the printed side of the sign lowermost, after which plate I6 is disconnected with respect to the lower edge of the panel section llb, to permit rods I3 to be swung upwardly. The panel section Illa is then swung over the back side of panel section Iilb, and panel section lilo is swung over the section Illa. Plate I6 is then swung into a common plane with rods I3 as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, after which rods I3 together with plate I6 are swung downwardly upon the folded panel sections, as illustrated in Figs. l and 4.

It will be evident that the sign when collapsed, forms a compact structure which can be conveniently carried by motor trucks. When required it can be readily positioned on the highway to serve as a desired warning to motorists. The parts of the collapsible supporting means, including rods i3 and plate I6, are connected to the central panel section, leaving the side panel sections free to be collapsed. When the sign is erected, the side panel sections are held in proper position by the corner legs 2l.

I claim:

1. In a portable highway sign, a plurality of panel sections hingedly connected together, whereby the sections can be folded upon each other or opened out into a common plane, and collapsible supporting means for retaining the opened panel sections in generally upright position, said last means including an element having its one end pivotally connected with the upper Aedge of one of said panel sections, a plate pivotally connected to the other end of said element, and means for interlocking the free end of said plate to the lower edge of said one panel section, said plate forming a generally horizontal platform adapted to carry a weight.

2. In a portable sign, three panel sections hingedly connected together, whereby the two side sections can be folded upon the central section or can be opened to bring the sections in a common plane, and collapsible supporting means free end of said plate to the lower edge of the center panel section, whereby the plate forms a lower horizontal platform for receiving a Weight, said supporting means being collapsible upon the folded panel sections.

BRYAN H. SMITH.- 

